hello, this is bbc news, i am alive at westminster, the day before mps vote on theresa may's brexit deal. the uk may never leave the eu, that is what theresa may will tell brexit supporters in the speech in stoke which is due to start in the next few minutes. letters between the prime minister and eu leaders are that such to be published imminently, intended to provide assurances for those concerned for the backstop plan for the irish border. in other news, sales of the most polluting woodburning stoves will be banned under the government's new clea n banned under the government's new clean air strategy for england. environmentalists say plans are honest opportunity. and reports that hitachi is about to suspend the construction of the nuclear reactor in north wales. good morning. welcome to westminster

at the start of a pivotal week in the brexit process. tamara mps will finally bowed on the withdrawal agreement. here are some of the key development this morning. in a speech shortly, theresa may will issue a stark warning that if brexiteer do not back her deal, parliament could stop the uk leaving the eu altogether. the prime minister is also expected to tell the commons she has received further reassurance by the eu about her withdrawal deal. letters between mrs may and senior eu figures about the system preventing return to physical checks on the irish border are expected to be published later. in the comments, that an ultimate day

of debate gets under way later as the government —— in comments, a penultimate day of debate gets under way later. norman smith is with me. we frequently say it is the start of a momentous week, it is a dramatic week? it is huge, showdown time. today we will get a shake—out of some of the options but ahead of that we get mrs may's a vote tomorrow. i think within government they have conceded that they have no chance of winning it. the name of the game now is trying to reduce the scale of the defeat, which is why we have mrs may in stoke now, basically warning brexiteer is, if you vote down my deal, you might not get brexit at all. a clear hope that maybe some of them will begin to come over. we have seen a trickle, like edward leigh, a few others, a smattering beginning to move over but nowhere near enough. likewise we

are seeing the odd labour mp, kevin barron this morning saying he would come over, $0 barron this morning saying he would come over, so we are barron this morning saying he would come over, so we are getting a bit coming over. crucially today we get mrs may's reassurances from the eu on northern ireland backstop. that isa on northern ireland backstop. that is a big pitch moment which mrs may hope will go some way to allay the fears of mps and will get even more to come over. it is absolutely clear, even if you do get some movement, it is not going to be anywhere near enough to avert what is looking like a sizeable defeat tomorrow as interestingly, liam fox conceded this morning that they were pretty certain to go down to defeat. i think that it's unlikely that we would win the vote tomorrow, to be frank. it's not impossible but it's unlikely. but i think it is possible that before we leave the european union, members of parliament come to the conclusion that we have a duty to leave as instructed by the voters of this country. we also have a duty to do it in a way that minimises any potential disruption to ourselves

and our own economy and to our trading partners in europe. we have been saying we are expecting these letters which will show the exchange between the eu and theresa may and they have just come through, they have taken a look —— let's have a look. we are looking at the reassurance thatis we are looking at the reassurance that is in this letter which could possibly help to change anything in terms of the dynamic in terms of anybody intentionally coming forward to support theresa may's deal. there isa to support theresa may's deal. there is a section... does that say anything other than

what we knew? that sounds very much like a restatement of the previous position which is that the eu will use its best endeavours to ensure that it use its best endeavours to ensure thatitis use its best endeavours to ensure that it is temporary. best endeavours is a legal phrase which isa endeavours is a legal phrase which is a nod and a wink which means that the eu does not plan for us to be stuck in the backstop for ever and today. there is new legal teeth there, crucially, to enable the british government to say, we want out of this. there is no legal route out of this. there is no legal route out of this. there is no legal route out of the backstop which is what mps want, nor is there a date, so blu ntly, mps want, nor is there a date, so bluntly, i haven't read it in detail, that will not change the weather. it is a an expression of

good heart on the eu, but they have been clear all along they will not reopen the withdrawal agreement, they cannot put an end date of the backstop because then it is no longer an insurance policy because they do not know how long it is needed for. those letters it seems will not provide much help for mrs may in trying to win over many of her mps which is why we are now seeing some of them to try and grab hold of the brexit agenda to shape the sort of deal that mrs may will do. we have seen people like nick bowles suggesting that maybe the liaison committee could step in and craft a new brexit deal which could be put to parliament which could instruct mrs may on what actually she should do. there have been all sorts of suggestions from number ten which says that that is a parliamentary coup. mick mulls the committee decided —— denied that this morning. at every stage in what we're proposing, the commons has to support it.

so if the liaison committee comes forward with a plan, the commons is asked to vote on it. only if the commons supports it, in the way that it will not have done with the prime minister's deal by that point, then the government will be instructed to implement it. we live in a parliamentary democracy. mps were elected in 2017, fully a year after the referendum. if we don't trust our elected parliament to come up with a solution, who do we trust? i have to say, that idea of letting the liaison committee shape the future brexit deal, that has run into trouble from other members of the liaison committee saying, no one consulted us and some of those who are pro—2nd referendum are sticking the boot into it was. the basic woman is, the liaison committee on no more united than anyone else in parliament about what sort of deal we should have. the idea they will be able to magic up some sort of proto— deal which everyone can agree on, seems pretty flaky. the

brexiteers are already on the war path saying it is parliamentary jiggery—pokery. we path saying it is parliamentary jiggery-pokery. we have not got boris! we will try and go back to that. let's go back to the letters. we will having a glance at the letter from the eu, five we will having a glance at the letterfrom the eu, five pages we will having a glance at the letter from the eu, five pages of it, we were trying to have a quick read through as it was coming in. this is the letter from theresa may to president task and jean—claude juncker. —— president donald tusk. it says, confident there is widespread restored for a broad and deep russian ship between the eu and the uk and are responsible exit. the deals at risk... it is to do with

the northern ireland border, we know how difficult this negotiation has been. she is going back to them to say, these are the difficulties, they are well aware of the difficulties, but they have not given much more reassurance. difficulties, but they have not given much more reassurancelj difficulties, but they have not given much more reassurance. i think the truth is, the ee are not —— the eu are not likely at the moment to give a big concession. if it is going to be voted down in parliament, what is the point of giving up the concession now. it is possible that if the deal does not com pletely possible that if the deal does not completely go down in flames, that if she goes back to brussels after the deal is voted down, maybe then you might get some more substantive movement on the backstop. at this stage, it was always a long shot to expect russell to cave now and say, —— brussels to cave now say ok, here isa time —— brussels to cave now say ok, here is a time limit or a route out of the backstop. a letter is not going to be enough to change anything now. this could be a first stage is mrs

may were to go back and try again. thank you, let's just go to stoke where theresa may is going to be addressing factory workers. it is a pro leave constituency and she will be putting out a message they're saying that staying in the eu is now more likely than no deal. she has got a busy day ahead of her again because she is speaking there this morning and then she will be speaking in the commons later at 3:30pm. let's go to our europe correspondent in brussels. we were just looking at those letters that we re just looking at those letters that were exchanged between the prime minister and brussels, and essentially it does not seem there is much more in the letterfrom brussels that is going to give mps the assurances that they are looking for. you are right. we've had the letters here at exactly the same time, as they were released in london as well. the answer is that

you're right. interestingly, the letters do address that question about legal guarantees of some sort. but all they are able to say is that the european council, the summit meeting of european leaders that was held in december, has already stated, this is what donald tusk saysin stated, this is what donald tusk says in the letter, that there is this firm commitment to work on a speedy agreement, trade agreement to make sure that that northern irish backstop is not used, does not come into force. the european council also said that if it did ever have to use the backstop, it would only apply temporarily, it would use its best endeavours to make sure that is not the case. the letter says that because those are the conclusions of an official european summit, they do have a legal value in the european union its says to define the

direction and priorities for the u. u nfortu nately, direction and priorities for the u. unfortunately, as you say, that legal wording will not be enough because it does not address the issue of how the uk could exit the backstop. the other point in here, coming from jean claude—juncker‘s site, who also has a part of the letter, there is clearly a part aimed at trying to reassure northern ireland's unionists, the democratic unionists, talking about northern ireland's role is in any negotiations, it says that nothing would affect or supersede the provisions of the good friday belfast agreement. saying that the situation, the peace process in northern ireland would not be impacted in the eu's view, nothing would extend eu rules to northern ireland beyond what is strictly necessary to avoid border controls, and that the members of the northern

ireland executive could also participate in the uk's delegations to any future discussions. so trying to any future discussions. so trying to send out reassuring essences but againi to send out reassuring essences but again i think it is unlikely that they will go nearly far enough for many who are opponents to the agreement as it stands. away from those letters, reports this morning that brussels is looking at the prospect of extending article 50 and would potentially be prepared to support an extension perhaps until june. also a suggestion that brussels may agree to reopen talks if there was consensus from mps here, what are you hearing of those two aspects? yes, this has all been bubbling away and discussed by the scenes. there is war gaming and planning through scenarios and discussions of what is going on all the time here as you imagine. one of those areas is what would happen in

the event that the vote, the deal does not pass parliament tomorrow, and the question their over the possible need for an extension for the uk. i think what we can safely sure is that the eu side certainly is thinking about the necessity of that, but, any request would have to come from the uk side, it is not the eu that would motivate that. the other thing is that it would then have to be agreed by all of the eu's 27 countries and then and only then would they agreed to an extension to the negotiating period. the difficulty is that the question would be, what is that extension for? that is where i think the question of whether there was some sort of clear direction coming from the uk side, a clear reason, something that the uk says it needs to achieve, and that therefore the

use i'd would possibly look at that and be inclined to —— the eu side would look at that and be inclined to avoid a hard exit and crashing out on the 29th of march. so how could the week unfold? let's run through what we know. the debate of the deal to the deal leave through what we know. the debate of the deal leave the eu continues today and mps will vote on whether today and mps will vote on whether to a cce pt today and mps will vote on whether to accept her agreement to buy evening. if they reject her deal, ministers have until next monday to come back with an alternative plan. the 29th of march is the day that the uk formally exit the eu leader, just 11 weeks away. marcus fish who is staunchly against the deal, and his colleague nicky field who is in favour of the way forward. —— vicky

ford. there is not enough movement to give theresa may any hope of getting the deal through tomorrow?|j getting the deal through tomorrow?” will be supporting the deal because i think it's really important that even people like myself that voted remain recognise that the referendum happened and people chose to leave the eu. that means that this withdrawal agreement is an important step because the withdrawal agreement sets out the terms by which we leave the eu and it respects the referendum. you set out your position, you are in favour of no—deal brexit? your position, you are in favour of no-deal brexit? i think there is a better way of doing this. i don't agree should be afraid of no deal but i think we should go to them with a better offer, talk to them about replacing the backstop for the better way of organising... we have been around this. exactly right. we are getting ever closer to the deadline, there is nowhere to go

with what you suggest.” deadline, there is nowhere to go with what you suggest. i disagree, this is entirely possible. we have put forward an alternative text, and it is entirely plausible. what the withdrawal agreement does is shackle us withdrawal agreement does is shackle us to an eu without any say on a permanent basis which is not a cce pta ble permanent basis which is not acceptable to our selves and our colleagues. that is not true, the eu have made it clear that this will not be a permanent solution. no they haven't, there is nothing legal... the letter today made it clear and under article 50 itself. it is an intention, not a legal guarantee. under article 50 itself, as has been made very clear by the attorney general, by michael gove, if it was to stretch out of time, it would be cat challenged in the —— challenged in the eu coats. to be specific, the concerns of those who worry about it

are that the eu could say, effectively we will let the uk leave but northern ireland remains about. if the backstop started stretching in time, that would be challenged in the eu courts under eu law because article 50 has made it three clear, the withdrawal agreement can only set out a temporary solution, not a long—term solution. the concern that i have if it does not go through is that we are in very uncertain territory. we have had a lot of people say that they want to have a second referendum, which i think would be highly risky and even more divisive. people have said they would smooth this into a softer brexit, . .. let's would smooth this into a softer brexit,... let's find out would smooth this into a softer brexit, . .. let's find out what marcus wants, which is the most likely scenario that it doesn't go through, what should happen?m likely scenario that it doesn't go through, what should happen? it is

naive to think that the eu court will somehow rule that the backstop that they want for us that gives them everything that they want, all of the leveraged... let's talk about today and tomorrow, if that's all right. tomorrow, if the vote doesn't go through, what would your position be? mps are manoeuvring against no deal. she needs to go back with an alternative text for the withdrawal agreement. if they don't want to agreement. if they don't want to agree that, we should offer them a basic free trade agreement and a protocol for northern ireland which we are happy to agree and we need to prepare for not having an agreement. we know that the preparations are actually in quite good fettle. calais are preparing a board inspection post... in good fettle? we have things going on like a ferry company that has no ferries and will not be operating. calais have said that there will be unnecessary because goods will flow because they are making operations. i have been

speaking to officials who have been telling me that number ten has vastly told them that they are not allowed to talk to businesses to tell them how to get ready for political reasons. but preparations are there, people expect us to be lions in this place, not donkeys talking about staffed proposals like second referendum. it connected to get on with what they have ordered us get on with what they have ordered us to do. i will be withdrawal to the ——i us to do. i will be withdrawal to the —— i will be supported withdrawal agreement which allows an orderly exit from the eu... if it doesn't go through... businesses and employers have warned us that it it creates huge uncertainty. but what if the plan the? marcus is suggesting we could go back and reopen negotiations on the whole

withdrawal agreement but that is not practical, that has already started the process, going through the ratification with the other 27 countries. there could be some more discussions on the legal backstop. meaningless, it doesn't matter.m makes no difference. let her say what she wants to. so every legal agreement can have further legal agreements laid on top of it, as it were. we have seen agreements laid on top of it, as it were. we have seen a agreements laid on top of it, as it were. we have seen a letter that has just come out, i have not had a chance to read the full detail, i will be listening to what the prime minister says today, making it clear that the european side, they do not wish this to be a permanent solution and making it clear that they believe the reassurance that they have given that it shall not be permanent solution is a legally binding reassurance because it was made by the european council. unless it is in the international treaty, it's meaningless. that is the

reality. do you both agree with the prime minister that staying in the eu is now more likely than no deal. no, i don't at all. excuse me, it is chilly out today. it is very high risk. we don't know what happens as far as risk. we don't know what happens as farasa plan risk. we don't know what happens as far as a plan from some of my collea g u es far as a plan from some of my colleagues to take the committee chairs of the parliament, in charge of driving the agenda, we have heard the risk of no deal agenda, so employers are concerned about, there is huge uncertainty. in my belief it is huge uncertainty. in my belief it is important that we respect the referendum but also leave in an orderly manner. this has taken many yea rs orderly manner. this has taken many years to negotiate and i will be supporting it. let me just. .. we are going to go to stoke—on—trent, look at the pictures because theresa may is sitting down, be introduced, we

will go as soon as theresa may sta rts will go as soon as theresa may starts to speak. marcus, you say you do not believe no deal, remaining is known —— no more likely that no deal, is that because the clock is ticking? we have a statute from a procedural point of view, unless thatis procedural point of view, unless that is overturned by another statute, that is what the position is. mps are doing everything to try and stop that. unless they can pass and stop that. unless they can pass a statute, that is irrelevant. this idea that the liaison committee is going to get involved is completely daft, it has already been ruled out by the vice—chair of the liaison committee as being daft.” by the vice—chair of the liaison committee as being daft. i will stop you both because theresa may is getting up to speak so we will listen in. thank you, thank you very much. tomorrow members of parliament will

cast their vote on the withdrawal agreement on the terms of our departure from the european union and the political declaration on our future relationship. that vote in westminster is a direct consequence of the votes that were cast by people here in stoke and in cities, towns and villages in every corner of the united kingdom. injune 2016, the british people were asked by mps to ta ke the british people were asked by mps to take a decision. should the united kingdom remain a member of the european union or should we leave ? the european union or should we leave? in that campaign, both sides disagreed on many things but on one thing they when united, what the british people decided, the politicians would prevent. in the run—up to the vote, the government said of leaflet to every household making the case for remain, stating very clearly, this is your decision, the government will input that what you decide. those are the terms on which people cast their votes. if

majority had that remain, the eu would have continued as a member state, the disagreement would have continued as well but the mast majority —— the vast majority of people would have had no truck that we should leave the eu without another referendum. we always understood that the public response carries profound significance. when the people of wales voted by a margin of 4.3% turnout ofjust over 50% to endorse the creation of the welsh assembly, that result was accepted welsh assembly, that result was a cce pted by welsh assembly, that result was accepted by parliament. we have never have referendum in the united kingdom that we have not one of the result. parliament understood this fa ct result. parliament understood this fact when it voted overwhelmingly to trigger article 50. both major parties did stay when they stood on election manifestos in 2017 which pledged to honour the result of the referendum. as we have seen over the

last few weeks, there are some in westminster who would wish to delay or even stop brexit and will use every device available to them to do so. every device available to them to do so. i ask them to consider the ponce —— the consequences of their actions on the people of the referendum result. parliament did not ask the people of wales to vote again or the overruled on the matter of the assemblies. we have not seen parliament try to take people out of the eu in opposition to the map —— to the remain vote. we all have a duty to implement the result of the referendum. ever since i reached the agreement of the withdrawal agreement of the withdrawal agreement with the eu, i have argued that the consequences of parliament rejected it would be grave uncertainty, potentially leading to

one of two outcomes. either no—deal brexit, that would cause turbulence for our economy, create barriers to security and disrupt people's daily lives, or a risk of no brexit at all, for the first time in our history failing to implement the result of a referendum and letting the british people down. these alternatives remain in place the deal is rejected. there are differing views on the threat that the no deal exit poses. i have a lwa ys the no deal exit poses. i have always believed that while we could ultimately make a success of no deal, it would cause significant disruption in the short—term and it would be far better to leave with a good deal. others in the house of commons take a different view and regard no deal is the ultimate threat to be avoided at all costs. to those people i say this, the only way to guarantee we do not leave without a deal are too abundant brexit, betraying the vote of the

british people, —— to abandon brexit, or to leave with a deal and the only deal of the table is the one mps will vote on tomorrow night. you can take no deal off the table by voting for that deal. and if no deal is as bad as you believe it is, it will be the height of recklessness to do anything else. while no deal made a serious risk, having observed event at westminster over the last seven days, it is now myjudgment that over the last seven days, it is now my judgment that the over the last seven days, it is now myjudgment that the more likely outcome is a paralysis in parliament that risks there being no brexit. that makes it even more important that mps consider very carefully how they will vote tomorrow night. as i have said many times, the deal we have said many times, the deal we have agreed is worthy of support for what it achieves for the british people. immigration policy back in the hands of people you elect so we can build a system based around the skills people have to offer this country, not where they come from,

and bring the overall numbers down. sovereign control of our borders. decisions about how to spend money you decisions about how to spend money y°u pay decisions about how to spend money you pay in taxes back under the control of people you collect so we can spend the vast annual sums we spent two brussels as we choose on priorities like our long—term plan for the nhs. sovereign control of our money. uk law is not eu laws governing the country, so the people you elect to decide what our laws are. 0ut you elect to decide what our laws are. out of the common agricultural policy with our farmers supported by schemes we design to support our own needs, out of the common fisheries policy so we can rebuild our fishing fleets for the future. we taking our seat at the world trade organisation so we can seat at the world trade organisation so we can strike trade deals around the world which work for british businesses and consumers. the rights of valued eu citizens here guaranteed, and reciprocal guarantees for uk citizens across

europe. the partnerships between our peace forces and security services that protect us every day from the threats that know no borders sustained. and implementation period that ensures our departure from the eu is smooth and orderly, protecting yourjobs. and yes, a guarantee that the people of northern ireland can carry on living their lives just as they do now whatever the future holds. these are valuable prizes. the deal honours the vote of the referendum by translating the people's instruction into a detailed and practical plan for a better future. no one else has put forward an alternative that does this. capella shall come to the alternative is no deal or no brexit, where we would have no implementation period security corporation, no guarantees for uk citizens overseas, no certainties

for businesses and workers, and changes to everyday life in northern ireland that would put the future of our union at risk. and with no brexit, as i have said, be would risk a subversion of the democratic process. we would be sending a message from westminster to timidity is like stoke and joel voices do not count. the way to close off these avenues of uncertainty is for mps to back the deal the government is negotiating and move our country forward into the bright future that awaits us. i have always believed that there is a majority in house of commons for a smooth and orderly exit delivered by means of withdrawal agreement. that is why the government tabled the motion for the government tabled the motion for the meaningful vote last month. it became clear that mps concerns about one particular aspect of the deal the backstop preventing a hard border in the event that we cannot reach agreement on the new relationship meant that there was no

prospect of winning the vote. i suspended the debate to allow time for further discussions with the eu to address those concerns. today i have published the outcome of those discussions in the form of letters between the uk government and to the president of the european commission and of the european council. i listened very carefully to mps concerns, particularly the concerns of my fellow julian concerns, particularly the concerns of my fellowjulian assange of an island. in my discussions with the eu, we explored as the suggestions made by mps. —— concerns of my fellow unionists in northern ireland. that remains the case throughout my discussions at the assembled european council and since. i also pursued in these discussions a proposal for a fixed a date with legal force guaranteeing the point at which the future partnership would come into force. that is the way to bring an end to

the backstop by agreeing a new relationship. the eu's position is that while they never want or expect the backstop to come into force, a legal time limit was not possible. bia—bi did not achieve that, we have secured valuable new clarifications and assurances that put before the house of commons, including getting our future relationship house of commons, including getting ourfuture relationship in place rapidly so that the backstop should never need to be used. we now have a commitment from the eu that worked ona commitment from the eu that worked on a new relationship can begin as soon as on a new relationship can begin as soon as possible after the signing of the patrol agreement in advance of the patrol agreement in advance of the patrol agreement in advance of the 29th of march, and we have an explicit commitment that this new relationship does not need to replicate the backstop in any respect whatsoever. we have agreement on a fasttrack process to bring the deal we will negotiate intervals if there are any delays in member states ratifying it. making it even more likely that the backstop will never need to be used. we now have absolute clarity on the

explicit linkage between the withdrawal agreement and the political declaration, put it beyond doubt that these come as a package. finally the eu have confirmed their a cce pta nce finally the eu have confirmed their acceptance that the uk can unilaterally deliver on all the commitments made in holland northern ireland paper last week, including a at lock on eu laws being added to the backstop and a seat at the table for a restored both on ireland executive. the legal standing of the significant conclusions of the december council have been confirmed. at the backstop where triggered, it would be temporary and both sides would do all they could to bring it to an end as quickly as possible. the letters published today have legal force and must be used to interpret the meaning of the patrol agreement including in any future arbitration. they make absolutely clear that the backstop is not a threat or a trap. i fully understand that the new legal

political and assurances which are contained in the letters from donald tusk and jean—claude junker do not go as faras tusk and jean—claude junker do not go as far as some mps would like. i am convinced that mps now have the clearest assu ra nces am convinced that mps now have the clearest assurances that this is the best deal possible and that it is worthy of their support. to other areas of concern raised and reflected in amendments tabled to the meaningful vote, or the protection of workers' rights and environmental standards. i could not have been clearer that far from wanting to see a reduction in our standards in these areas, the uk will continue to be a world leader. we have committed to addressing these concerns and will work with mps from across the house on how best to implement them, looking at legislation where necessary, delivering the best possible results for workers across the uk. this afternoon i will set out in greater detail to mps what is contained in the correspondence i have published today, and what it means for our withdrawal. tomorrow i will close

the debate. as we start those crucial week in our country's history, let's take a step back and remember both what is at stake and what we stand to gain. by coming together behind this agreement. settle the question of how patrol and we can move on to forging our new relationship. actually deal tomorrow and that work can start on wednesday. —— back the deal. feel and we risk of leaving without a deal or of not leaving at all. i think the british people are ready for us to move on. to move beyond division and come together, to move beyond uncertainty into a brighter future. that is the chance that mps of all parties will have tomorrow night. for our country's say, i urge them to take it. thank you. —— for our country's sake. applause

i will take some questions from the media. bbc news, you seem extremely eager to move on. you say this is a good deal, but you know the majority of your colleagues agree disagree. at this late stage do you think you have a chance of changing their minds? i have been speaking to mps over the weekend, i'd be back in parliament today, i've been making a statement but i will also be speaking the colleagues today and indeed tomorrow, we will be speaking when i close the debate. i have seen mps who are now recognising the importance of the decision that is being taken. they say that they will support the deal whereas perhaps in the past they had some doubts. obviously we have seen the assurances being published today, i believe those do get more assurance and confidence to mps about the

nature of the relationship we will have the european union in the future, the desire on both sides not to see the backstop come into force, and what we will both do to ensure that we're working to make that not happen. so that we can get onto that future relationship which is the best way of ensuring a sustainable long—term relationship and dealing with the northern ireland border on sustainable long—term basis. the commitments expressed today show commitments expressed today show commitment on both sides to get on and do that. break you have had two yea rs and do that. break you have had two years to reach out to mp5. break you have two days left, and nothing to far. why shouldn't parliament metal control of part —— brexit from you? we have been talking to mps about theissues we have been talking to mps about the issues that they want to see raised, and the process that i have

been pursuing over new year is having heard mps in december, taking thoseissues having heard mps in december, taking those issues to the european union and we have achieved this exchange of letters which gives those further clarifications, further assurances which i believe do get that further confidence to members of parliament about the future relationship we will have the european union and about both sides not wanting to use the backstop. but you talk about parliament taking control, what i think is important as delivering on the result of the referendum, and what i am concerned about from what we have seen is the real prospect that we could see a stymie in parliament or parliament operating ina way parliament or parliament operating in a way that frustrates brexit. we have a duty to deliver brexit and thatis have a duty to deliver brexit and that is what i and the government

wa nt to that is what i and the government want to address what we are going to do andi want to address what we are going to do and i want mps to recognise that as well. daily mail. you don't like workers' rights and environmental standards, but are you prepared to go further to attract the votes of labourmps? go further to attract the votes of labour mps? would you be prepared to follow example move on a customs union or any other issues?” follow example move on a customs union or any other issues? i have a lwa ys union or any other issues? i have always been clear that we will not be in the customs union because being in that has with it other aspects which are not what people voted for. what people wanted to see what i was able to ensure that we could have independent trade policy. we are working obviously to ensure that those trade agreements we are pa rt that those trade agreements we are part of as a member of the duke can be transferred to uk trade agreement is in the future and then for the opportunity to make those even better trade agreements in the uk. we can do that by having an

independent trade policy, and in order to have that it means not being in the customs union. you have been very clear about what you say is the damage to public faith if brexit does not go ahead, which has most democratic legitimacy? airbags and deal on you or a no—deal brexit that was not on the paper? for those who do not want to see no deal, they had to agree a deal. you talk about a brexit deal imposed on by parliament, but i think if you look at what is being said, nobody has yet come up with an alternative brexit deal that is negotiable and actually, no one has come up with an alternative that delivers on the result of the referendum. that is what we must remember. this is not just about negotiating a deal, it is about delivering on the result of the referendum, taking back control, but also ensuring that we do it in a

way that maintainsjobs, but also ensuring that we do it in a way that maintains jobs, security, protects jobs and security and protects jobs and security and protect our union, that is what the deal does. sky news. i wanted and to a question mentioned earlier, perhaps understanding where you are in your own mind as you stand here. do you leave that you can get this through? and show you will, but do you actually think you will?” and show you will, but do you actually think you will? i am working to ensure that we get members of parliament voted for the deal tomorrow. i be that we get members of parliament voted for the deal tomorrow. i be because imported that we deliver on this result is that we deliver on this result is that we deliver on this result is that we do not see a situation where there is a risk that parliament tries to frustrate brexit. over the last few days we have seen that risk increasing. i want to ensure that we deliver on the referendum that we leave the european union, i want to

do it on the basis of a good deal that protects people pass byjobs, security, union. the eu are offering an extension of article 50, potentially until july. do an extension of article 50, potentially untiljuly. do you categorically rule that out? we are leaving on the 29th of march. i had been clear that i do not believe we should be extending article 50 and i do not believe we should be having a second referendum. we have that instruction from the british people to leave, and leave it is our duty to leave, and leave it is our duty to deliver on that. i want to do it ina way to deliver on that. i want to do it in a way that is smooth, orderly, protects jobs and security and protects jobs and security and protect our union. 0ne protects jobs and security and protect our union. one last question. stoke sentinel. you say it is important that people in this region feel they do not being ignored, but most of the people in favour brexit do not feel that what

you are offering is brexit, and people opposed to brexit do not feel they will support you. who are you doing this for? the people of stoke voted nearly 70% to leave the european union, and that is what we are delivering. that is what my government will be delivering. for many people when they voted, people had a number of different things, visas for voting, key things that we re visas for voting, key things that were crucial. i think bringing an end to free movement, seven took control of our borders, was one of them. bringing an end to the jurisdiction of the european court ofjustice, we took control of our own laws. the deal delivers both of those. it also delivers on taking back control of our money not sending vast annual sums of money to the eu every gel. it also delivers on independent trade policy and gets us on independent trade policy and gets us out of some of the poorest people use it had been concerned about, like the common fisheries policy. those were the things that were of

concern to people when they were voting, had they wanted us to be able to have an independent trade policy and make decisions about who cut our country for ourselves. that is what the deal delivers. it delivers brexit, and in doing that it would protect jobs, delivers brexit, and in doing that it would protectjobs, security and our union. thank you. applause theresa may speaking in stoke—on—trent, an area that voted to leave the eu, and she said if brexit is not delivered, people in places like this will feel like they are not being listened to. she talked about the importance of respecting the result of a rather read them and gave the example of the people of wales voting on a tight margin to create the welsh assembly. 0.3% on a turnout of 50%, she said that result was accepted by both sides in the popular legitimacy of that institution is never sees

the being questioned. an uncomfortable fact that is being talked about with that as an example is that referendum is being respected, leanne wood of plaid cymru respected, leanne wood of plaid cym ru tweet into respected, leanne wood of plaid cymru tweet into say it is not true, the tories did not accept the assembly referendum result in wales in 1997. they continued to campaign against devolution. theresa may voted against it after the referendum result. and outside but it is one of the things that is out there in terms of the discussion about the importance of respecting the result. let's bring, theresa may is saying that she wants mps to back her deal tomorrow. it doesn't look like there is any times of that. the questions are around plan b, and it sounds, did you get the sense, it is more and more like no deal is the plan b. we will not have an

extension. she was to leave with an agreement but we will leave.” thought it was striking, at the end she was asked, do you believe you are going to win tomorrow's vote? we did not get an answer on that. she just said she is working to win the vote. i think it is clear but then downing street they know they are very unlikely to win the vote. what they are engaged and now his disbelief trying to claw back some of the numbers in their favour. disbelief trying to claw back some of the numbers in theirfavour. we had the speech which seemed to be a pretty clear pitch to brexit tears saying, if you vote down my deal there will be paralysis in parliament and the likely outcome of thatis parliament and the likely outcome of that is no brexit. brexit could slip through yourfingers. that is no brexit. brexit could slip through your fingers. at the same time, trying to talk up these of the assurances she has now got from the eu, this letterfrom donald tusk assurances she has now got from the eu, this letter from donald tusk and jean—claude yunker, which says that

the eu doesn't want to go into the back stop like the uk, wanted to be as short as possible, will use its best endeavours to make sure it doesn't go on for ever and a pay. there will be no need for additional regulations in northern ireland. there can be a storm or check to ensure the northern ireland assembly, if it is up and running, can block additional regulations, and suggesting they want to move to the next age, the political declaration as soon as possible. all fine and dandy. the problem is it doesn't look legally binding. theresa may said it has legal force at the eu says it has legal value. but it is not written into the withdrawal agreement, and that is the basic problem for all the warm words, many mps will say, that is fine but it is aspirational. it is not binding. that is, what she has got to find is a mechanism that will give a legal force to these words of

good intent, and so far it doesn't sound like it is now. which means she is still heading towards defeat, and the only question is whether she can minimise the numbers. thank you very much. she is going to be speaking in the commons later, she will be making a statement, it will bea will be making a statement, it will be a busy time ahead. what are the options of the deal goes down tomorrow? what would it mean for the brexit timeline? is morris has been taking a look. —— chris morris. with all the political manoeuvring on theresa may's brexit deal, legally binding withdrawal agreement and the non—binding political declaration on what the future relationship might look like. if it is accepted, which is looking unlikely, but if it is, the path ahead is straightforward. the agreement would have to be turned into law with new legislation and it would be further

parliamentary battles about that. it would have to be ratified in the european parliament with eu approval. then the uk would leave the eu on schedule on the 29th of march. if it gets rejected, what then? the default position, if nothing changes, is found there. the uk still leaves on master 29th but with no deal and probably numerous resignations from the cabinet. as we know, there are many people determined to prevent that happening. the government may seek even more reassurance from brussels, especially on the irish backstop. there could then be a second or third vote in parliament on the deal if the government tries to ramp up the pressure. if it is accepted we are back to the line along the top, leaving the eu with a dealer march 29. if the prime minister cannot get her deal through the commons, we know that mps have already made plans to seize the initiative, they will debate alternatives and try to

prevent no dealfrom happening. that could mean trying to extend the article 50 negotiating period to buy more time, but the rest of the eu would have to agree to that. first of all, there could be a different dealfor the evening, the majority of mps that can support. that could mean staying in the single market and customs union, or a different variation of that advocated by the labour party, a permanent customs union and closer links with the single market. even a clean break, a basic free trade deal like canada has. it is worth pointing out that none of these would really change the withdrawal agreement itself, but mps might vote for a deal that sets out a clearer future direction. if none of that works, we know that labour wants an says it will at some point insist on a vote of no confidence to get one. there are also growing calls for another referendum to give the people another say now they know what the

options are. that could lead to no brexit at all. the default position in uk and eu law is that it mps cannot agree on any alternative, deal or no deal, brexit will happen on master 29th in just deal or no deal, brexit will happen on master 29th injust 75 deal or no deal, brexit will happen on master 29th in just 75 days' time. theresa may is continuing to try to win the support for herbert gold deal which gets voted on here and westminster tomorrow. she has been speaking in stoke, she will be in the commons later. we will have much more coverage of all of the day's events throughout the day here. but now i will hand you back to the studio. let's take a look at some of the other stories. sales on wet wood and wood burning stoves are to be banned under making a strategy for england. the aim is to halve the number of people breathing in harmful particles by 2025. environmentalists say the plan does not go far enough. in britain's big

cities, the air people breathe is often toxic. this haze is caused by tiny airborne particles, it is bad news for people with lung problems. you can paste diesel fumes, particularly you can feel the bitter taste in your mouth. i have had my son say this when they had been outside lane, and itjust makes you very tired, whereas when you're out ofa very tired, whereas when you're out of a polluted area you have a lot more energy. in the court case over nine—year—old asthma victim lr, it is alleged that pollution contributed to her death. the government has taken some action on cars, although environmentalists say it is not enough. farmers around in the spotlight. ammonia gas released from fertilisers dressed into cities and harms health. new rules will curb the pollution. home heating

produces tiny sooty particles, only the cleanest woodburning stoves will be sold in future. and councils will have new powers to curb pollution from home fires. but even domestic products cause pollution, too. new furniture, toiletries, air fresheners can all irritate the lungs. ministers wa nt all irritate the lungs. ministers want people to do their bit to reduce the risk. environmentalists what ministers to do more. it has been reported that the japanese firm hitachi is about to halt construction of a £20 billion nuclear reactor in north wales. it is not workable be suspended this week. the company says no formal decision has been made. this is a really important story, all about how the uk will keep the lights on, satisfy our energy needs of the next decade. this power station was one of three that are planned for the

uk. toshiba counselled one of them. this is cancelled, it will be the second, leaving us with hinckley point. body by edf, the french firm. it is being cancelled because of money. hitachi has only put up £2 billion towards the reactor and they need to find 20. they couldn't find investment from private investors and the uk government does not seem to put up the rest the money. why is there not an investment? some a nalysts say there not an investment? some analysts say it could be to do with brexit, a big distraction and the focus has been on sorting out what is happening over the next couple of months rather than looking at our energy future. some people say the energy future. some people say the energy market has changed since this was first agreed. renewable energy has become cheaper, we are developing new technology in batteries, so perhaps our energy future will be slightly away from nuclear, the mix will be different.

what about the jobs? lumb? the juniors are watching this closely. they are anxious about what might happen. we will have to wait and see it on the board meeting which we expect will be tomorrow in tojo, deceived by the will be. japanese prime minister said that they were standing shoulder to shoulder with theresa may. it is not ideal, the optics of this. it is difficult and it is one point that the greens are making. why didn't theresa may discuss it with him, but apparently she didn't? the government remains tight—lipped and says it is a commercial decision and it is sensitive and that discussions are ongoing. hinkley point was extreme and controversial, not just ongoing. hinkley point was extreme and controversial, notjust the french chinese involvement, given the increasing security questions over that include full infrastructure, are we then becoming ever relied on one particular supplier? i don't think that is

necessarily going to be the issue. 0ne necessarily going to be the issue. one of the controversies was the amount we spent, what is called the strike price, the amount we agree to pay for the energy. that is one of the reasons why these negotiations with hitachi had been so difficult because the government has been wary of saying they are going to put money into this when things on the energy picture might look different going forward. time for a look at the weather. we ended on a windy and mild note. this week, temperatures will be up and down. this morning and to start the weekend will be cool, mild are by mid week and then much colder by the end of the week. some rain and showers this morning down the eastern side of england, mostly clearing away. showers in cheshire and merseyside. bright spells, sunshine across the globe and wales. such for eastern and southern scotland, otherwise in the northern

and western areas cloud increasing, spots of rain moving in. tempted down on yesterday, 7—10 sources. tonight rain continuing across scotland, heavy for a time. temperatures rising, otherwise in england and wales temperatures no lower than by — seven celsius. tuesday, it will be dry for many, bright sunny spells, largely cloudy and milder. temperatures for many others back in double figures. this is bbc news, i'mjoanna gosling, live at westminster the day before mps vote on theresa may's brexit deal. the headlines at midday. eu leaders release a letter saying they do not want to enter the irish backstop, in an attempt to provide assurances to those concerned about the brexit withdrawal agreement. in a speech in stoke, theresa may warns that the uk might remain in the european union if brexit supporters do not vote for her deal.

it's now myjudgment that the more likely outcome is a paralysis in parliament that risks there being no brexit. that makes it even more important that mps consider very carefully how they will vote tomorrow night. i'm carrie gracie, the other main stories today. foreign secretaryjeremy hunt summons the iranian ambassador to the uk to discuss the case of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, who has started a three day hunger strike. i'll be personally meeting with jeremy hunt today to discuss with him his thoughts and the broader next steps. today obviously marks a new phase for nazanin's story. a hunger strike is not a game. myjob here is not to be a cheerleader for it. but i do think it's her right to say, in the only way that she can, that enough is enough. myjob is to ensure that her message is heard, and both governments take responsibility for

sales of the most polluting wood burning stoves will be banned under the government's new clean air strategy for england but environmentalists say plans are a missed opportunity. and reports that hitachi is about to suspend the construction of a £20 billion nuclear reactor in north wales. andy murray takes the first round of the australian open into a fifth set against roberto bautista agut. good afternoon and welcome to westminster at the start of a pivotal week in the brexit process where tomorrow mps will finally vote on the prime minister's withdrawal agreement. here are some of the key developments this morning. in a speech to factory workers

in stoke theresa may issued a stark warning that if brexiteers don't back her deal then parliament could stop the uk leaving the eu altogether, something she says could do catastrophic harm to politics in the uk. later the prime minister will address the commons and give details of the latest assurances from the eu about her withdrawal deal. number ten have published letters between mrs may and eu leaders about a system for preventing a return to physical checks on the irish border. in the commons the penultimate day of debate will get under way later as the government tries to win over mps. as we've been hearing, eu leaders have released a letter saying they do not want to enter the irish backstop, in an attempt to provide assurances to those concerned about the brexit withdrawal agreement. let's take a closer look at that letterfrom eu leaders jean—claude juncker and donald tusk, addressed to theresa may. it says... 0ur assistant political editor norman smith is here. we have heard from theresa may, we

have those letters, has anything shifted? not much. the letters are full of warm words, good intentions, aspirations, similar objections by the eu, they don't want the uk to go into the backstop and if they do go m, into the backstop and if they do go in, they want to end it as soon as possible. they say there needn't be any more additional regulation applied to northern ireland, there could be a stormont lock where the modern ireland assembly, if it was up modern ireland assembly, if it was up and running, could veto any thing. but there is not clear if there are any legal to teeth to this. the eu says the wedding has legal value, whatever that means. —— the wording has legal value. mrs may says it has legal force. i the wording has legal value. mrs may says it has legalforce. i rather suspect when lawyers take a look at it, that doesn't actually mean that legally it has anything that can

actually force or provide a clear legal route out of the backstop which is what many mps want clarity and legally binding clarity on, how we get out. the second part of the pm's speech which was interesting what a clear appeal to brexiteers. if you vote down my deal, you really risk us staying in the eu. having observed events at westminster over the last seven days, it is now myjudgment that the more likely outcome is a paralysis in parliament that risks there being no brexit. that makes it even more important that mps consider very carefully how they will vote tomorrow night. so, it sounds to me nothing the pm has said today, nothing in the letters, it is a game changer. there is nothing there which is going to lead to a vast tranche of tory mps suddenly deciding that the deal, they can wear it. all of the concerns and reservations will

probably still be there. but her sort of only hope now is to try and get the numbers down. there is very little chance he is going to avoid defeat tomorrow so the name of the game is to get the numbers down so that in the aftermath, she can revive a theresa may deal marks too, if she doesn't go down to an absolutely calamitous defeat. she was talking up the significance of the letters today. i've been speaking to mps over the weekend, i'll be back in parliament today, i'll be making a statement but i'll also be speaking to colleagues today and indeed tomorrow. obviously i'll be speaking when i close the debate tomorrow. and i have seen mps when i have spoken to them, who are now, who recognise the importance of the decision that is being taken, and saying that they will support the deal whereas perhaps in the past they had some doubt about it. but obviously, we have seen the assurances that have been published today, i believe they do give more assurance and confidence to mps about the nature of the relationship

we have with the european union in the future, about the desire on both sides not to see the backstop come into force, and what we will both do to ensure we are working to make that not happen. so that we can get onto that future relationship which is the best way of ensuring the sustainable long—term relationship and dealing with the northern ireland border on that sustainable long—term basis, and the commitments expressed today show commitment on both sides to get on and do that. she's trying to get mps to support her agreement tomorrow. meanwhile, all different aspects involving in terms of mps do what they can to ta ke terms of mps do what they can to take matters into their own hands. yes, i think we are going to see a shake out some the options. it's clear when mrs may's deal goes down, as we expect, when she comes back to

parliament as she has to do within three days with a plan b motion, i expect mps on all sides to pile in with their options, a second referendum, norway, whatever. in the meantime we have this new idea being mooted by some senior tories of asking the liaison committee, a senior committee of tory mps, to d raft senior committee of tory mps, to draft their own brexit bill. it's quite a stretch how feasible that is going to be, never mind how easy it would be to get some sort of agreement within the liaison committee. that is for tomorrow. that argument is still down the line. there's no doubt that mps are preparing to intervene with and antenna tips with their own alternatives if the deal goes down. what would be the process of

drafting an alternative bill? it would be agreed here and not in brussels? the theory is mrs may's deal went down, it is the senior select committee in the house of commons, they could go into a sort of papal conclave commons, they could go into a sort of pa pal conclave and commons, they could go into a sort of papal conclave and come up with some sort of brexit bill which they could all agree on. that would then be put to the house of commons and if the house of commons passed it, that would then instruct the pm to go back to brussels and say, i have my hand tied behind my back, this select committee have told me what i have to ask for. there are so many problems with this. but as we have seen problems with this. but as we have seen through the whole process, extraordinary things can happen. so we should not rule it out. it does seem we should not rule it out. it does seem to me to be a very long reach. more likely is mps will table amendments to her motion and they will try and exert political pressure on her rather than legal pressure on her rather than legal pressure to go down a certain route.

thank you very much. we will speak to dominic reeve in a few moments. he is one of the conservative rebels. —— dominic grieve. he went second referendum. the prime minister is back in the commons later, in she was out in stoke this morning, a constituency that voted leave in the referendum and she said there should not be a second referendum and brexit should be acted on to overload people living in stoke and other areas that voted leave feeling like they do not get listened to. joining me now is dominic grieve, one of those conservative rebels threatening to vote down theresa may's deal. as things stand, theresa may saying that she wants to put this forward tomorrow, hoping to get support for her vote, highly unlikely it will get through, we have the letters today, do they change anything?” find it difficult to see how the

letters change anything. she is entitled to come to the house tomorrow and that her deal. she has negotiated that deal in good faith. the difficulty that she has is there isa the difficulty that she has is there is a majority in the house of commons that for differing reasons simply feel that this deal is a bad one. if you are a leave supporter, it does not correspond in any way to your dreams. and very far removed from those. if you are like myself, somebody who believes that we made a mistake, i have always been prepared to look at the deal that we will deal with get but i look at it and objectively we are much better of staying in, is the third great future for our country if we leave on these terms. that's white —— this isa on these terms. that's white —— this is a third rate future for our country if we leave is on these terms. the problem is we have a ticking clock, there is the potential to lead on the 29th of march with no deal. but an audio books it for the vast majority of the house of commons regard that as

a travesty, the end of the united kingdom. —— that would be what the no deal would be. the debate is now how parliament goes about asserting its views, particularly when the government has tried so ruthlessly to close down discussions overall sedatives over the last six months. if we get through —— discussions over alternatives over the last six months. if we get defeated tomorrow, i would like but prime minister to come to commons and allow comments to express opinions and that could help come up with the majority solution. there are efforts under way to try and get mps to take control of this away from the prime minister, do you support those? the alternatives? they are all ideas, i have some colleagues who have come up have some colleagues who have come up with a rather complicated proposal which could be possible at it is very complex and difficult to

carry out. it was undesirable that we should have to do this and there is no need for start down that road, if the prime minister and the government change their position with the house of commons. i also have some colleagues like myself who have some colleagues like myself who have published a paper showing how you could publish a bill for the second referendum. the second referendum provides a way out of this, why i have been an advocate of it, because it goes back to the public and asks them what they want. but that in the absence of government cooperation would be difficult to achieve. stay with us, we will be back with you in a moment. we are saying goodbye to viewers on bbc two, but we continue full coverage on the bbc news channel. in terms of where things go, you

have said that no deal would be suicide for this country. so support the deal, no? no, because ifi support this deal, what i think is going to happen is that we will leave on the 29th of march, i'm afraid that in view of the approach of many of my colleagues, particularly those who are hard brexiteers in the er g, the first thing that will happen after we leave on the 29th of march if they will try to dismantle the deal in addition to the future negotiations. so out there there are millions of people who are desperate to get this over and done with. but the awful truth is that we are not at the end ofa truth is that we are not at the end of a process, we are at the start of the process on the prime minister's deal because we leave into a tradition which lasts 20 months and during that we have to negotiate a

future relationship on which there is not agreement, even within the conservative party, let alone for all i know within the labour party either. what we're going to do in my view is to do something which in six or 12 months‘ time the electorate will change their mind —— turn around and say, we never wanted this. so we should consider going back and asking people again. i realise people get upset and say, we made a decision in 2016, but when you end up with the sort of problem you end up with the sort of problem you were facing now, it is not an democratic to go back and say to people, this is the deal on offer, this is how it is going to work, do you want it? you can now choose to remain if you want to, you will not be able to make that decision after 29th of march. to get support in the comments for a second referendum, you would need labour support, the official position of labour is there should be a vote of no—confidence in the government. that necessary step? it is clearly necessary for the

labour party because they tend to follow their processes i carefully. i hope if they are looking at the wider public interest it will get that issue out of the way as quickly as possible because if they wish to bea as possible because if they wish to be a credible opposition, they have got to step up to the mark. at the moment, the perception everywhere, not just of my moment, the perception everywhere, notjust of my benches, is that they are floundering. so you want there to bea are floundering. so you want there to be a vote of no confidence in the government? the sooner the better, i would lose support the government on that. but they could lose. the government will win a motion of no—confidence against it. i have no reason to think that it will not. thank you very much. a busy few moments ahead. what are the options if the deal goes down? with his only start, a vote tomorrow

with the political manoeuvring —— this is where we start, but the political manoeuvring. if it is accepted which is looking highly unlikely, the path ahead is a bit more straightforward. the agreement would have to be turned into uk law with new legislation and there would be further parliamentary battle is about that. then it could need to be ratified in the european parliament and get approval. if that happens on time, the uk would leave on time on the 29th of march. it gets rejected, the 29th of march. it gets rejected, the default position if nothing changes at all is down there, the uk still leaves on march 20 life with no deal and numerous resignations from the cabinet. but there are many people determined to prevent that happening so what what then? and the

government will seek me even more reassurance from brussels is specially on the irish axed up. there could be a second or third vote in parliament on the deal if the government wraps up the pressure. if it is accepted, we are back to the line along the top. but if the prime minister cannot get her deal through the comments, we know that mps have made plans to seize the initiative. they will the boat alternatives and try to —— debate the alternatives and try to prevent no dealfrom the alternatives and try to prevent no deal from happening. the alternatives and try to prevent no dealfrom happening. that could be extending article 50 and the ee would have to agree to that. and then they could be a different deal for leaving that the majority of mps could support. that could be staying in the single market and the customs union, known by some as norway plus. 0ra union, known by some as norway plus. or a different variation, a permanent customs union with closer links with the single market. that is favoured by the labour party. 0r

a free break and an independent trade deal like canada. none of these would change the withdrawal agreement itself but mps might vote for a deal which sets out a clearer future direction. if none of that works, labour wants an election, and it says it will at some stage demand a vote of no confidence in the government to try and get one. there are growing calls for another referendum to give the people another say now they know what the options are. that could lead to node brexit at all. the default position in uk and eu law is that if mps cannot agree on any alternative, then deal or no deal, brexit will happen on march 29, intercepted happen on march 29, —— then deal or no deal, brexit will happen on march 29, —— in 75 days. i‘m joined by dia chakravarty, brexit editor at the telegraph and by seb payne, political leader writer at the ft. the last time the three together with here discussing the previous vote and whether it would get

pulled, the consensus was that it would not but it did. as anything else changed ? would not but it did. as anything else changed? it seems like only little has changed. —— very little. we are looking at new labour backbenchers might try and force something of the parliament, but we are still trying to work out what those things are going to be, how those things are going to be, how those mechanisms might work out. as far as the letters which came out brussels today, it seems like very little has changed and we already have erg members saying, nothing changes their mind on that letter coming out of brussels. it‘s fair to say that nothing really has changed. what do you make of the moves by mps to try and take control and tidy government‘s hands? to try and take control and tidy government's hands? if nothing happens between now and march 29, we

are leaving the eu would all without are leaving the eu would all without a deal. we know that parliament knows no majority for no deal but no obvious way to stop no deal either, a lot of talk about amendments and limiting finance and bringing forward things but until article 50 is delayed or rescinded, then we are still leaving the eu and i think thatis still leaving the eu and i think that is most likely to happen i think following tomorrow. i think everyone thinks that the pm's deal will be rejected but it'sjust a question of how much. her first move will be to say, we need more time, whitehall and brussels are ready for that. but if she then says, we are going to delay brexit today, what would that mean politically? you think it could happen tomorrow that she will say that? she has categorically said that is not going to happen today. she said it was not optimal but she has not said she would not do it. i think she did say, we are living on the 29th of

march. what she —— leaving the 29th of march. happy times where we told last time by herself and downing street that that vote was going to go ahead before christmas? but it got pulled. we do live in extra retired when politicians say something with an absolutely straight face and then they go back on itand straight face and then they go back on it and then they blame circumstances, some people buy it and some don‘t, it is extraordinary. if it were to be delayed, the word out of brussels is that something tangible has to change would lead to bea tangible has to change would lead to be a delay for it to be worthwhile. what could change? you could delay it bya what could change? you could delay it by a couple of months without that if theresa may said that she needed more time to get it through parliament. if they want to start reopening negotiations, that's not going to happen without the prospect of eithera going to happen without the prospect of either a general election or a second referendum which are ideas that are gaining traction in this parliamentary stalemate. even if she

does eventually win this night, she will not win tomorrow but she could win on the second or third attempt, there is still huge raft of legislation that leads to go through the house of commons to make sure we leave the eu with a deal so time is running out. i can still see the thing being delayed even if she wins, once it has been delayed once, it could be delayed again, and that is worrying brexit mps that they think there is a ounu going on to fort brexit. these plans —— a think there is a ounu going on to fort brexit. these plans —- a ounu going on to thwart brexit. it all goes down to speakerjohn bercow, and he is willing to do things that are extraordinary. nothing is off the table. it seems to be that even if the speaker does take control of the timetable and hands it over to backbenchers against the advice of

his own clerks and convention, but as you said, we have no majority for anything in the house. i‘m not really sure how much real damage that could actually cause. how much it could really change the course of history in any meaningful way. they ta ke history in any meaningful way. they take back control, then what happens? i‘m talking about any backbencher supporting any of these paths opening for us, will they be able to rally it enough colleagues? and try to understand if it is any majority, and what the majority of parliament could be. we need some indicative votes, do we? yes, to test the waters, baby. your correct —— to test the waters, maybe. we are leaving deal or no deal on the 29th of march because that is already on the statute book, that‘s already in low at the moment. if mrs may's deal

gets voted out, brexit will only get softer. the most obvious thing is to try some kind of customs union, that is much softer than mrs may is proposing, but a majority of labour and conservative mps. .. will there majority for that? just about, i think, but it would split the conservative party massively. for a lot of brexit supporting mps, striking free deals of canada and the us and australia, that is the prize of brexit and if you stay in the customs union, that cannot happen. you are hearing from prime ministerand happen. you are hearing from prime minister and downing street, if you don't back my deal, what comes next will be even more unpalatable. even at the moment, everyone knows what they are against no one knows what they are against no one knows what they are against no one knows what they are for. we will continue with coverage throughout the day. theresa may is speaking at the commons at

3:30pm. let‘s go to the sport. we have just heard from an emotional andy murray on court after he was knocked out of the first round in the australian open. it is up in the air whether it will be his last match, we know he wa nts to will be his last match, we know he wants to make it through to wimbledon. he came from 2 sets down against roberto bautista agut. the spaniard won the first two 6—4 6—4. murray revealed last week that retirement would be sooner rather than later because of the pain he‘s in following hip surgery. he dug very deep in the third set, coming from a break down to take it on a tie break, he celebrated that like one of his three grand slam titles. the fourth also went to a tie break and he breezed through that to level

the match. but his efforts to force the decider seemed to catch up with him, agut taking it 6—2. mary did not say that was definitely at but it will certainly been his last australian open where he has been runner—up five times.” last australian open where he has been runner-up five times. i have honestly loved playing here over the yea rs. honestly loved playing here over the years. it‘s an amazing place to play tennis. if this was my last match, amazing way to end. i gave literally everything i had. it was not enough to night so congratulations to roberto and his two. —— his team. to night so congratulations to roberto and his two. -- his team. we will wait to see what exactly andy murray‘s plans are. he also hinted that he would probably be another operation with no guarantees on whether he could come back and play

from that. more reaction on bbc news later. the british number one kyle edmund is out. he reached the semi—finals in australia last year and was seeded 13th but he struggled from the off against the former world number 4 thomas berdych. he went down in staright sets to the czech veteran. edmond managed only one break point all match. but dan evans is through to the second round, after a straight sets win over japan‘s tatsuma ito, his first win in the main draw of a grand salm for 2 years. he‘s likely to face roger federer next though. and there was a great win for katie boulter, who knocked out ekatarina makarova, but other british players heather watson, harriet dart and cameron norrie are all out. 0le gunnar solskjaer says david de gea is the best goalkeeper in the world. that‘s after the spaniard was the star of the show against spurs at wembley with a string of saves in the second half to help manchester united preserve their one—goal lead that

marcus rashford had given them in the first half. 0le gunnar solskjaer has won his first six matches in charge now which is a club record but he has his keeper to thank for that. he should have held a few of them! but maybe one or two were fantastic saves, and the rest of it was just about concentration and being in the right position. and we have had some great keepers at this club, and think he is challenging edwin and peter for the 11 spot. —— the think he is challenging edwin and peterfor the 11 spot. —— the number one stop historically. that‘s all the sport for now. i‘ll have more for you in the next hour. the british woman, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, who is in prison in iran has started a three—day hunger strike, in protest against being denied specialist medical care.

she is serving a five—yearjail sentence, after being accused of spying by the iranian authorities, a charge she strongly denies. the british government has repeatedly called for her release. the foreign secretaryjeremy hunt has summoned the iranian ambassador to discuss the issue. nazanin‘s husband richard ratcliffe — who is meeting jeremy hunt this afternoon to discuss the next steps — spoke about his wife‘s declining health at a press conference this morning. in recent months she has been denied an assessment for the pains on her neck. she‘s not been allowed to see a psychiatrist despite numerous letters from her and family. there have been promises from different officials but these have increasingly felt like an elaborate game of risk that —— passing the responsibility. he also said his wife

has started the strike after interrogators for the iranian revolutionary guard tried to pressure her into becoming a spy for iran. but what really pushed her over the edge was the second one which is they tried to pressure her to become a spy they tried to pressure her to become a spy for a run against the uk, specifically despite an international trade and element and organisation in the medial. she has no connection to this. she was told it would be safer for her and savour for herfamily it would be safer for her and savour for her family afterwards if she agreed to do this. now it‘s time for a look at the weather with simon king. we ended the weekend on a rather windy and mild note. do this week temperatures are going up and down. this morning and just at the week it has been quite cool but mild by midweek and much colder by the end of the week. we have got some

showers do this morning done is to died of england. is almost a clear away. plenty of bright spells and some sunshine across england and wales. these northern and western areas, the cloud increasing and a few spots of rain moving in. temperatures down a little bit on yesterday at seven to 10 degrees. to make that rain will continue across scotland, it will turn quite heavy for a time tonight. temperatures will start to rise but otherwise in ingrid and wales, temperatures no lower than five or seven celsius. tuesday will be a dry day, some bright spells but largely cloudy. averages for some of us will be back in double figures. goodbye. hello this is bbc newsroom live. the headlines: eu leaders release a letter saying they do not want to enter the irish backstop, in an attempt to provide assurances to those concerned about the brexit withdrawal agreement. in a speech in stoke,

theresa may warns that the uk might remain in the european union if brexit supporters do not vote for her deal. it is now myjudgment that the more likely outcome is a paralysis in parliament that risks they are being no exit. that makes it even more important that mps consider very carefully how they will vote tomorrow night. foreign secretaryjeremy hunt summons the iranian ambassador to the uk to discuss the case of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, who has started a three day hunger strike. we‘ll go straight to westminster and my colleaguejoanna gosling who has more reaction to theresa may‘s speech a little earlier. let us talk more about what is happening in the john let us talk more about what is happening in thejohn frade debate.

—— exit abate. we‘ve heard theresa may issue a warning that if brexiteers don‘t back her deal then parliament could stop the uk leaving the eu altogether. and number ten has published letters between the prime minister and eu leaders attempting to assuage fears about the northern ireland backstop. with me to discuss the possible ramifications of that is dr. hannah white — deputy director of the institue for government... thank you forjoining us. theresa may is basically saying there is possible there will be no brexit of mps do not support her agreement tomorrow. mps are flexing their muscles, they are saying they do not wa nt muscles, they are saying they do not want there to be no deal. there are various things going on to try and tie the governments hands. we could talk about procedural matters with you and it is going to become very important tomorrow is lots of amendments are being put for it which is what backbenchers do wonder try to get what they want to happen get voted on. dockers through how things might unfold. of easily it is really crucial about what mps might

decide to do in terms of the amendments they want to support an emotion or not. what is also very crucial as how the procedure plays out in the house and one of the key players is the speakerjohn bercow. had you asked me this time last week i would have given you a confident a nswer i would have given you a confident answer about how the procedure would work but following events last week when the speaker did an unexpected wing with the procedure, it is a little less clear. in amendment people thought should not have been allowed. there was an amendment that was made to be business motion which was made to be business motion which was how the house is going to decide it will deal with a certain debate and some people have argued that was and some people have argued that was an amendment that should not have been allowed but that has meant that should the remit‘s deal not be agreed to by the house government has to come back within three sitting days with an alternative plan. tomorrow we will have the ali

but the moments get voted on prior to the vote. —— tomorrow we will have the boat. exactly. the government has negotiated a future volition jibber the government has negotiated a future volitionjibber the eu. but mps can attempt to change the wording of that and get the house to agree to something different. the way you would normally do that is take the mmx in order in the wake they occur in worst of the motion and if they occur at the same point in the motion you take them at the order in which they were tabled. that is how you would normally do it but the consequence of that tomorrow would be doing several amendments that happen in the same place in the wording, and if you have a vote on the first one that was agreed to than the other mmx to the same point in the wording would fall. there we re in the wording would fall. there were not be a vote on those at amendments. i think it is highly

likely the speaker or want to ensure that the house has the opportunity to decide and expressed its view so i would not be surprised if he is trying to find a way to make sure that there can be multiple votes and amendments without subsequent amendments without subsequent amendments been wiped out. what ibm mance expected to be? —— what are the amendments expected to be? there is one that says we do not like the government‘s deal but we do not want ano government‘s deal but we do not want a no deal exit either and calls on the government to form an utterance of plan. there is some —— an alternative plan. there is some controversy alternative plan. there is some co ntrove rsy over alternative plan. there is some controversy over that because there are worried if passers—by if you vote and the government gets to have its vote on emotion as amended, it

will only lose as a few votes and will only lose as a few votes and will not look like the government has suffered as large a scale of defeat as it looks. labour want government to suffer a large—scale of defeat as do people who want a different form of experts who wanted the deal to be voted down by a large majority. so there is pressure for a withdrawal of that amendment. there are several amendments about the backstop, this arrangement that would come into place in the uk and the eu do not get a trade deal in place that would avoid a hard border coming in northern ireland and there we re coming in northern ireland and there were some amendments. . . coming in northern ireland and there were some amendments... the point is that some of these met amendments may be economised by number ten. there are some that the government may be willing to accept. is also a labour amendment which is about

strengthening protection for workers‘ rights which the government says it is backing so there are a number of different ones and i think it is likely that the speaker will try to find the opportunity to see if there is a majority but those at amendments. biology visitor is becoming really important. —— alimentary besiegers is becoming really important. the government is consulting businesses about immigration rules after brexit, and says its proposals will boost the uk economy while ensuring companies can get the workers they need. it comes as a shortage of workers has forced a devon seafood company to send some of its crab to be picked in vietnam. 60% of the blue sea food com pa ny‘s 150 staff are from the european union, and the firm says it doesn‘t believe it can find enough workers to cope with its expansion plans. jemma woodman has this report. around 150 people work in this crab processing plant in devon. and there are plans to expand the business but getting enough

workers is a struggle. it‘s not very sexy and it‘s not something that people generally want to come and do. we tried very hard to get people to come work from the local community. we‘ve gone to the extreme of putting notices up in local shops but it‘s really, really tough getting people through the door. 60% of the staff here have come from eu countries. hello vikki. hi. the government is proposing that after brexit low skill workers will only be able to come to the uk for 12 months at a time. that worries bosses here. we want to add value to that person and hopefully they will add value to our business so it worries me as well the thought that people can‘t bring their family because surely you want your family around you to be happy and hopefully stay in the uk and keep the money in this country. the company is having to get work abroad because of the difficulty getting enough staff. in the next 12 months we should be landing a further thousand tonnes of crab. that means that we need more staff in the factory to mitigate that risk of not being able to get those

staff, we‘ve had to outsource some production to vietnam. the government says its immigration proposals will boost the economy by ensuring that the brightest and the best can work and study and study in the uk, and it will consult businesses to make sure they get the staff they need. as today‘s boxes of crab leave for restaurants and shops this company will be watching closely to make sure it has enough people for the catches still to come. and you can see more ofjemma‘s report on inside out on bbc one in the south west of england at 7.30 tonight. viewers elsewhere can catch up with the programme on bbc iplayer. plenty more from here at westminster throughout the day on the bbc news channel — for now lets head back to the studio for the rest of the day‘s news with carrie. sales of wet wood and some wood burning stoves will be banned under a clean air strategy for england, published by the government. the aim is to halve the number of people breathing in harmful particles by 2025. environmentalists say the plan doesn‘t go far enough.

0ur environment analyst roger harrabin reports. in britain‘s big cities, the air people breathe is often toxic. this haze is caused by tiny airborne particles. it‘s bad news for people with lung problems. you can taste diesel fumes, particularly, you can feel this bitter taste in your mouth. i‘ve even had my sons say this when they‘ve been out cycling. and it just makes you very, very tired. whereas when you‘re out of a polluted area, you have a lot more energy. in the court case over 9—year—old asthma victim ella kissi—debrah, it‘s alleged that pollution from london‘s south circular road actually contributed to her death. the government has already taken some action on cars, although environmentalists say not enough. farmers are under the spotlight now. ammonia gas released from fertilisers drifts into cities and harms health. new rules will curb the pollution.

home heating produces tiny sooty particles. only the cleanest woodburning stoves will be sold in future. and councils will have new powers to curb pollution from home fires. but even domestic products cause pollution, too — new furniture, toiletries, air fresheners can all irritate the lungs. ministers want people to do their bit to reduce the risk. environmentalists want ministers to do more. roger harrabin, bbc news. a mother has died and her 8—month—old baby is in a life—threatening condition in hospital after being hit by a car in south london. the woman, believed to be in her 20s, was pushing her son in his pram, when the pair were struck in penge, yesterday evening. police say the driver, who has not been arrested, is helping with inquires. it‘s being reported that the japanese firm, hitachi, is about to halt construction of a 20—billion pound nuclear reactor in north wales.

it‘s thought work will be suspended at the plant this week. hitachi says no formal decision has been made. our business presenter katie prescott spoke to me a little earlier about the significance of the project being suspended. this is a really important story about how the uk will keep the lights on, how we satisfy our energy needs over the next decade. this power station was one of three that were planned for the uk. last year, toshiba cancelled one of them. if this is cancelled this week, it will be the second, leaving us with hinkley point in somerset, funded by edf, the french firm. it‘s being cancelled really because of money. hitachi has already put up £2 billion towards the reactor and they need to find 20, as you said. they couldn‘t find investment from private investors, and the uk government doesn‘t seem to have put up the rest of the money, so that is why it has been put on hold. but everyone needs the lights on, so why isn‘t

there the investment? some analysts are saying it could be to do with brexit. the focus has been on sorting out what is happening over the next couple of months rather than on looking at our energy future. but people are also saying the energy market has changed since this was first agreed. renewable energy has become a lot cheaper. we are developing new technology and things like batteries, so perhaps our energy future will be slightly away from nuclear. the mix will be different. what about the jobs question? it looks like 400 jobs might go. as you can imagine, the unions are watching this closely. they are anxious about what might happen. we will have to wait and see until the board meeting tomorrow in tokyo. it is a public holiday today in japan. the japanese prime minister was here just last week standing shoulder to shoulder with theresa may. the optics of this are not ideal. it is difficult and it is one of the points the union have been making today. they are saying, why didn‘t theresa may discuss it with him? apparently, she

didn‘t. the government is a bit tight—lipped about it. they say it is a commercial decision and it is sensitive and discussions are ongoing. an hinkley point was controversial with the french chinese involvement. and given the increasing security questions about chinese involvement in critical infrastructure, are we becoming overreliant on one particular supplier? i don‘t think that is necessarily the issue. one of the controversies of a hinkley point was the amount we spent, what is called the strike price, the amount we agreed to pay for the energy. that is one of the reasons these negotiations with hitachi have been difficult, because the uk government has been wary of saying, we are going to put loads of money into this, when actually things on the energy picture might look different going forward. the headlines on bbc news... eu leaders release a letter saying they do not want to enter the irish backstop, in an attempt to provide assurances

to those concerned about the brexit withdrawal agreement. in a speech in stoke, theresa may warns that the uk might remain in the european union if brexit supporters do not vote for her deal. foreign secretaryjeremy hunt summons the iranian ambassador to the uk to discuss the case of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, who has started a three day hunger strike. three people have been killed and a fourth is missing after an avalanche in the austrian ski resort. 0ster has been hit by record snowfall in the last week and there have been more than 20 weather related deaths across the alps. correspondent has the latest in the austrian alps. this note just keeps on polling.

people here are used a hard winters but this is exceptional. in some parts of the alps the risk of avalanches is at its highest level and authorities are struggling to keep the roads clear. some villages and modern resorts have been com pletely and modern resorts have been completely snowed in mock others have had to be evacuated. these extreme weather conditions have taken their toll. over the weekend three skiers from germany were found worried in a pile of snow, —— hurried. rescuers had to break off their search because it was too dangerous. more snow is on the way and people are bracing themselves here. amir has been seriously injured ina here. amir has been seriously injured in a knife attack —— eight may. he was stabbed in front of

thousands of people. it was supposed to bea thousands of people. it was supposed to be a joyous event celebrating paul and‘s biggest charity then suddenly a 27—year—old man rushed onstage and stabbed the mayor. as bysta nders onstage and stabbed the mayor. as bystanders rushed to his aid the attacker remained onstage saying he blamed the mayor‘s former party for wrongfully imprisoning him. he was resuscitated before being rushed to hospital. his condition remains unknown and an investigation is ongoing. tablet mac —— translation: it is important to establish how this happened, how we got so close to the mayor. we know he was using a press pass, we need to establish how he got hold of this and if he was allowed to be on stage. the most important question

is what motivated him to greet such a dramatic act. he has been the mayor for over 20 years and recently appeared on a video event in support for a charity. his stabbing has shocked poland. translation: was great until we heard the disastrous news about the attack. it was shocking, unbelievable. we do not know what the mayor's condition is but we know something has happened, or. poland‘s prime minister and president also condemned the stabbing hoping that he would make a full recovery. malala was nearly 15 years old when

she was shot by the taliban in pakistan. she has now written a book in which he tells her own stories and shares the stories of other refugees. i have met many refugee girls in my trips around the world. i have been to refugee camps, i have been to informal settlements, and i used to hear these inspiring stories from these refugee girls, but then on the other hand i would hear in the news a different kind of story about refugees, just in numbers and figures. we hear about refugees and immigrants but we never hear from them, especially from young women and girls. you of course know what it‘s like to be displaced. you were shot by the taliban in 2012 for speaking out about girls‘ education. you were brought to birmingham for treatment and you‘ve been in the uk ever since. can you give us a sense of how difficult it was to adjust to life in a different country? yeah. in school, talking to friends, i found it so difficult. they would laugh at slightly

differentjokes that i would, and then when i would say something they wouldn‘t laugh because it was just the cultural differences. i would say, like... you know, sometimes you would be quiet, sometimes you would just pick up a book and pretend that you are reading, but you just are finding it difficult to have a conversation. and now it‘s completely different. now i‘ve made lots of friends, and i‘m, you know, proudly brummie as well, but in the beginning it was surely very difficult. what does proudly brummie entail? i‘m just proud of birmingham, ithink. i love the city. it‘s a welcoming, diverse place, and i love the accent and i love the people of birmingham, and i call myself brummie. you came to the uk in 2012. as well as writing a book, running a foundation, campaigning for girls‘ education, you‘re alsojuggling your own education... yes. you‘re in your second year at oxford university, so i have to ask you, how do you fit it all in? it is a lot of work.

yeah, but i‘m studying, i‘m doing ppe at lmh in oxford. which is politics, philosophy and economics. and i‘m enjoying it. you‘re not a machine, though. you must have to switch off sometimes. how do you relax? i mean, do you watch tv programmes? yes, we do watch tv programmes. i recently watched the good place. yeah. and i also watch some comedy shows. i recently watched the blackadder. oh, yes. i‘m a big fan of british comedy — i love it. and just sometimes watch, like, yes, minister. 0h, 0k. and there was an old show called mind your language. oh, yes, that does go back a long way. yes, a very, very long way. but i find it funny. i know it wouldn‘t be welcomed in the same way as it was then but, yeah, i find it very funny. and i have to ask you, in terms of your university room, how do you fare on keeping it tidy? i try my best. i try to keep it as tidy as i can, but when my mum comes to the university and sees my room,

she tells me off, but i think it‘s tidy, yes, tidier. yeah. malala yousafzai, thank you so much. it‘s been lovely to talk to you. thank you so much. wonderful talking to you. a number of lucky customers of the airline cathay pacific have scored first—class seats at economy prices, making it the second fare blunder by the airline in less than a fortnight. tickets from hong kong to portugal, with a london layover, were sold on the airline‘s website for $1,512, instead of $16,000. an unholy row has broken out in italy between the roman catholic church and the mayor of rome, over what should happen to coins retrieved from the capital‘s famous trevi fountain. throw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain, the legend says, and you will one day return to the eternal city. around £1.3 million in small change, is scooped out each year,

and given to a catholic charity that helps the poor. following a council ruling, the mayor will take control of the funds to help maintain the city‘s cultural assets. in a moment it‘s time for the one o‘clock news with reeta but first it‘s time for a look at the weather with louise lear. hello there. it has been a quiet start to our working week across the uk and we have even seen a little more of this, yes, some lovely brea ks more of this, yes, some lovely breaks and the cloud for some of us and some sunshine coming three. stunning photographs from this morning. because even the satellite picture the cloud breaking out nicely across much of eastern scotla nd nicely across much of eastern scotland down to the north—east of england and across the south coast. figure cloud out towards the west and we will start to see some rain a little later on today as a weather front pushes in from the atlantic. you wind stars to pick up and some

of that rainwater and quite heavy as well. wrestling on tuesday we like to see some wetter weather up into the far north, the south and west mac the cloud will remain well broken in places and we should see some sunshine coming three supper tomorrow afternoon it looks as if it is going to be a mild affair. nine to 11 degrees but some of that ringtone in quite heavy. as we move bridges denied that rain will continue to push its light self—worth and we could see a little bit of wintriness in higher ground. holder area starting to dig in behind so showers with any allegation turning a bit more wintry, we‘ll see a band of rain pushing its way across northern england into wales and south—west england into wales and south—west england joint wednesday. here it will stay relatively mild, nine or 10 degrees. the cold area starting to get in with a showers turning wintry and higher ground in the north. that is an indication of what is to come. as we made out on wednesday we have a weather front

introducing showers from behind and it will go to a more northerly direction so the showers are turning increasingly wintry and put that milder wear out of the way, so as we go through the next couple of days it looks likely that those northerly winds are going to kick in and it is going to feel colder as we go towards the end of the week. the verisign and feel the difference of the weather will be on thursday, there will be lovely spells of sunshine coming through but it will feel quite cold and chilly out there. temperatures struggling at around four to 8 degrees and looks likely that the cold weather will stay with us for the next few days and there is into friday morning could lead to a widespread hard frost right across the country. a crucial week here in westminster — as theresa may launches a last—ditch effort to sell her brexit deal. the prime minister warns no brexit

is more likely than leaving the eu without a deal — if she loses tomorrow‘s vote in parliament. it's now myjudgment that the more likely outcome is a paralysis in parliament that risks there being no brexit. that makes it even more important that mps consider very carefully how they will vote tomorrow night. eu leaders have written to the prime minister insisting they do not want to use the controversial backstop for the irish border, and saying that if they did it would be for the shortest possible period. the other main stories this lunchtime: trying to clean up the air we breathe — ministers publish their clean air strategy for england. a five—set thriller, but andy murray is out of the australian open — could this be his last ever match?